Several producers, actors, directors, writers and film enthusiasts - greater in number than the stars found in the USA flag -- gather yearly in Utah for the prestigious Sundance Festival.
This is the largest and most famous gathering of independent filmmakers for showcasing both American and foreign films.
It features both competitive and non-competitive screenings of dramatic, documentary, feature-length and short-films from the participants.
It started in 1978 when Robert Redford, a prominent American actor and resident of Utah, and Utah Governor Scott Matheson aimed to attract filmmakers to Utah, USA, initially opening the competition to American filmmakers only.
Thus it was known before as the Utah/US Festival.
It was managed by Sterling Van Wagenen, head of Wildwood, Redford's company, and John Earle and Cirina Hampton Catania, who both were working for the Utah Film Commission.
In 1985, the management of the festival was then turned over to the Sundance Institute, a non-profit organization.
The name of the festival, which was formally launched in 1991, was derived from Robert Redford's role in the 1969 critically acclaimed movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" as tribute to Redford's contribution in spearheading this annual event.
From a local event, it has grown to be one of the most popular film events the world over, catching the eyes of the paparazzi and other commercial companies.
To continue its vision of providing a venue for quality independent films, the Sundance Institute launched a campaign named "Focus On Film" in 2007.
For this year, it widens its scope as it welcomes very low-budgeted films in the new category named "Next.
"